Trainer Mick Price has confirmed that Ajeeb will run in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday as the veteran trainer attempts to find out just how good the lightly-raced four-year-old is.
Jockey Stephen Baster will ride Ajeeb in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Ajeeb has won four of his last five starts after finishing fourth in a maiden on debut in Ballarat.
The son of Al Maher recorded victories in a maiden in Seymour and the KS Environmental Handicap (1500m) at Sandown in February and started the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) as favourite after the withdrawal of odds-on favourite All Too Hard.
Ajeeb led for the majority of the race but faded in the last 200 metres to finish seventh behind Ferlax, You’re So Good and Sheer Talent.
After spending time in the paddock, the talented entire returned to the races in the Sportingbet Handicap (1300m) at Geelong on July 9 before defeating a strong field to win the Cadeel Food Service Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on July 27th.
Ajeeb has shown plenty of potential in his brief racing career and Price is giving him the opportunity to prove himself against a tough field in the Lawrence Stakes this weekend.
“He’ll run in the Lawrence Stakes against the good horses and we’ll see what comes of it,” Price told TVN.
“Stephen Baster will ride Ajeeb on Saturday and it’s a bit of a test for him, but we’ll learn a lot more about him too.
“I think he’s going very well and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
The Group 2 event will be Ajeeb’s first test against older horses and he will need to be at his best to be competitive against Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune and the in-form Second Effort.
Price is searching for his third win in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes, having won the race (when it was known as the J.J. Liston Stakes) with Pompeii Ruler (2006) and Light Fantastic (2008).
